TOYS FOR TOTS
COMMERCE CLUB
FAMILY TRADITIONS
FOR THE HOLIDAYS
CHRISTMAS TREE
LIGHTING PROGRAM

10

GIFT SHOPPING
IN SNELLVILLE

14

CHRISTMAS EVENTS
AND SERVICES
3

Letter from the President

It’s that time of year, Snellville!
Holiday traditions are what make this time of year so special.
It’s something we can always go back to and depend on. I
remember as a child my parents allowed us to open one present
on Christmas Eve - which was always a new pair of pajamas, a
tradition my sister continues to this day. Then, we always had
our picture made wearing them. Christmas morning, my sister
Adrienne, brother Dusty and I always ran in together to see what
Santa had delivered. We always had a big breakfast and exchanged
gifts with each other. Today, we still get together with the cousins
and all the cousins’ children on a Sunday in December. We all
bring a dish, have a fun gift exchange, and the kids sing Christmas
carols.
As we gear up for another fun-filled holiday season in
Snellville, I want to encourage everyone to think back on the
holiday traditions you anticipate and cherish each year. We are
so lucky in Snellville to share a long history of community events
that bring us together during the holidays. In this issue we look
back on the instrumental people who’ve helped establish these
city traditions.
I hope you’ll join us for the 30th annual Snellville Christmas
Tree Lighting on November 26th as we continue our rich
traditions of holiday fellowship in this great city. I, along with
everyone at Snellville Tourism and Trade, wish you and your
family a wonderful holiday season.
Sincerely,

'RQ

Don Britt, President
don@summitchasecc.com

4

In addition to promoting businesses in the Snellville area, the Snellville Commerce Club
participates in philanthropy to improve the area in which we work and live. Over the years,
the Commerce Club has provided financial support to many charitable organizations,
including the Southeast Gwinnett Co-op, Parkwood Farms and Relay for Life.

Toys for Tots / Commerce Club

toys for tots

Every December, the club supports Toys for Tots and the
Marines at its annual Christmas lunch at Summit Chase Country
Club. This year’s lunch will be on December 6th at noon.
In addition to the toys donated by club members attending the
lunch, the Commerce Club and Snellville Tourism & Trade are
asking the community to bring an unwrapped toy to the Christmas
Tree Lighting Festival on the Town Green on November 26th.
Again this year, we expect to have representatives from the
Marine Corps and the Marine Corps ROTC at Parkview High
school attend the lunch to talk about Toys for Tots and accept the
toys donated by club members and those attending the Christmas
Tree Lighting.
The Commerce Club’s support for the Marines goes back
many years. After 9/11, the club began supporting the members
of the “Red Dogs” of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron
773, which at the time was based at Dobbins Air Force Base in
Marietta. Members of HMLA-773 were deployed to Afghanistan
to support the war efforts there.
In addition, squadron members gathered school supplies
and humanitarian items for distribution to the local population.
Commerce Club members donated supplies to this effort. Because
of the club’s support for the Marines, it has been the recipient of
the Commander’s Award for many years.
Because of the economy, the need for toys and funds to support
Toys for Tots has never been greater. Please consider bringing one
or more toys to the Christmas Tree Lighting Festival. You can also
drop off toys at Summit Chase Country club between November
27th and December 6th.

5

Hello

Long-Lived,

Not Long Lost
Holiday traditions of cedar trees, turkey hunts, and community that doesn’t give up
by: Jon Richards

Snellville is getting ready to celebrate the holidays once
again. On November 26th, residents will gather in front of
City Hall for the 30th time to light the city’s Christmas tree.
The parking lots of the shopping centers along Main Street
and Scenic Highway will be full of cars as people try to find
that perfect gift. The early setting sun gives way to bright
displays of Christmas lights on residential streets.
But, according to lifelong Snellville resident Glyndia
Norton, it wasn’t always this way.
In the mid-20th century, the center of Snellville was
where the road to Stone Mountain crossed the road to
Lithonia – today’s intersection of Main Street and Scenic
Highway. Outside the center of the city, there were farms in
every direction. You couldn’t directly get to Lawrenceville,
since Scenic Highway ended where Sugarloaf Parkway now
crosses. To the south, the road from Snellville to Lithonia
wasn’t paved until 1951, and it wasn’t until 1952 that Snellville
had its first traffic light.
In the late 1940s, brothers Hugh and Cyril Snell, with
the help of young Henry Partee, set up a Christmas tree,
literally in the center of town. After searching through the
photo courtesy: Jim
my

6

Norton

surrounding farmland and woods, they found a 25 foot tall
cedar tree, hauled it to town, and set it up in the middle of
the intersection of Scenic Highway and Main Street.
Of course, the tree needed to be decorated. People
contributed strands of lights, which cost a about dollar
apiece, and the town’s electrician, Monk Moon, ran
extension cords across the road past the Britt’s general
store and down to the McCart’s white house, where they
were plugged in.
For several years, estimated between 1948 and 1951, the
Christmas tree went up at the intersection of Main Street
and Scenic Highway, until one year, some teenagers hooked
up a chain to the tree and dragged it through town. After
that, they never put up another Christmas tree. Luckily, the
churches in the area continued the tradition.
As the area struggled to recover from the 1930s
depression, the churches played an important part in making
sure everyone got at least one Christmas gift. Snellville’s
two main churches, Baptist and Methodist, would alternate
holding a Christmas tree service. After the service, those
in attendance would go to the church basement, where the
Christmas tree was set up. Underneath the tree were gifts
for every adult and child, perhaps a pair of warm socks or
a handkerchief.
After the war ended, the two churches continued the
tradition. With separate services, one could go to both,
and end up with two gifts from the community tree.
Holiday meals were very different in this area as well.
A neighborhood Kroger or Publix was out of the question.
In the 1960s, the Lions Club would sponsor a turkey
shoot on the north side of Main Street, where for $2 per
shot you could target shoot for your own bird. If you were
successful, you could go across the street to where the Tire
Depot is now, and buy your Christmas tree.
Although our holiday rituals have changed, there are
certain traditions that remain. The Christmas tree lighting
was reinstated in the 1980s and has continued ever since
thanks to the leadership of Elise Cotter on City Council
and the support of Mayor Emmett Clower. This year marks
the thirtieth anniversary of this long-lived tradition that
we hope will thrive in our community for years to come.

Memories from...

david snell

emmett clower

Vice President of E.R. Snell Contractor, Inc.

Mayor of Snellville 1974 - 1999

What are some Snell holiday traditions?
We always met for Christmas lunch at my grandparent’s house. There would be 75 to 80 people crowded
inside that little white house – it’s still there off North
Road – I don’t know how we fit us all in there.
Our Christmas tradition to this day is to attend the
Christmas Eve service at Snellville Methodist Church.
My grandmother always timed Christmas lunch to
make sure we never missed it.

What are your fondest memories of the Christmas
tree lighting in Snellville during your tenor as mayor?
I always remember it was such a cold night. It was the
first night you’d have to pull that top coat out of the
closet. The most memorable tree lighting for me was the
year we had a young boy with leukemia light the tree. It
was really special for everyone. He flipped the switch,
and boy did he get a kick out of it.

With such a rich family history in this city, what
makes your Snell traditions unique?
Because our family business is here in Snellville, our
family was always held together. Having everyone living so close made it so easy to get together. We’ve always been able to share the whole season, not just one
day. That has made the holidays last a lot longer for
our family.
What is your fondest holiday memory?
I remember one year my brother and I got ponies for
Christmas. We were so excited. But when we went to
church, someone came in and told my dad in the pew
that the ponies had gotten out. They were running
around Snellville. We had to get up and leave!

What helped make this event a continued success?
The secret was to keep the kids involved. We’d have the
children’s choir sing, and that would bring the parents
out, and they’d bring the grandparents, and that’s how
you get a crowd.

Family Traditions for the Holidays

Memories from...

Why do you think these traditions are so important
in Snellville?
It lets everyone know the season is here, and it gets you
into the spirit of Christmas, which is a happy time for
everyone.
It’s the glow in children’s eyes when they see that tree
that never changes, no matter how old you get. There
is a lot of innocence in that, and that is a tradition that
keeps going.

Memories from...

elise cotter
A Snellville City Council member from 1978 to 1990, Ms. Cotter spearheaded the initiative to
bring an annual Christmas tree lighting to City Hall.
What inspired you to start this event in
Snellville?
I’ve always loved Christmas; it is my favorite time of year. I wanted a way for the
community to come together and have a
Christmas tree we could all enjoy.
How much work went into making this
event happen every year?
Well, first we had to find the tree, then get
the power company to provide a bucket
truck to decorate it. Each year we’d have the
school children make ornaments for it, and
coordinate refreshments and decorations
for the rest of City Hall. It was a ton of work.
But like most things that are a lot of work, it
was very rewarding.

christmas
tree
lighting
30 Years of Tradition
Building on the success of the award-winning
Snellville Farmers Market and the Snellville Fall Festival,
the Snellville Tourism and Trade Association (STAT)
is pleased to present the 30th Annual Christmas Tree
Lighting Festival at the Snellville City Hall on Saturday,
November 26th from 3-7:00 pm. The event was moved
to the Saturday after Thanksgiving in order to allow for
more children to attend as well as family and friends that
are in town for the holiday. The hours of the event have
been expanded to allow for more activities and more time
for photos with Santa.
Santa will be set up in his “headquarters” on the Towne
Center Green where there will also be a Santa Train ride
for the kids and a beautiful horse and carriage ride for
mom and dad. Photos with Santa will take place between
3:00 and 7:00 pm with Snellville’s own Andrew Watson as
photographer. Funnel cakes, hamburgers and hot dogs,
along with hot drinks, kettle corn, hot pretzels and other
special Christmas treats will be located near the Santa
Headquarters provided by the Snellville Lion’s Club and
other food vendors.
The 60’ tall Christmas Tree, located this year in the
center of the Towne Green, will host a full schedule
of choral and instrumental performances courtesy of
local churches and schools including Snellville United
Methodist Church, R.D. Head Elementary School and
Collins Hill Dance Company. In addition, there will be
characters in festive costumes from Acting Up Theatre
and Christmas music from the All In Red Band. Christmas
crafts will be on sale from local crafts vendors and kids
will be able to work on craft activities sponsored by Lowe’s
and Michaels as well as decorate cookies sponsored by
Rhodes Bakery. S’mores again will be center of attention
sponsored by Tom M. Wages Funeral Home and a
special puppet theatre will present shows every half hour

presented by Acting Up Theatre. Holiday decorations
will be located throughout the event courtesy of Encore
Events. Inflatable slides and games will be there to thrill
the kids. The craft activities are free but a donation of a
can of food for the Southeast Gwinnett Food Cooperative
or a toy for Toys for Tots will be gladly received. A small
fee will be charged for the Santa Train, the Horse and
Carriage ride and the inflatables.
This year’s Christmas Tree Lighting will be hosted by
Jackie O. Ginn. Prior to the official lighting at 7:00 pm, the
horse and carriage carrying Santa will be escorted to the
Tree by the Mayor of Snellville, Kelly Kautz. Santa, along
with the Mayor, will throw the switch bringing to life the
thousands of beautiful lights on the giant tree covered
with bright red bows accompanied by the sounds of the
assembled crowd holding lighted candles and singing
“Silent Night”.
Following the Tree Lighting, Santa will still be
available for photos at his Headquarters until 8:00 pm. In
addition, Billy Ray Allen from Brushy Forks Nursery, will
be providing “Caroling Hay Rides” in beautifully lighted
hay wagons for attendees to enjoy with a nice hot cup of
chocolate from the Lions Club.
The 30th annual Christmas Tree Lighting Festival in
the Snellville Towne Center from 3-7:00 pm is sponsored
by Summit Chase Country Club; Brushy Forks Nursery;
Tom M. Wages Funeral Home; Michael’s; Lowe’s; New
London School of Driving; A Defined Image; Hilltop
Pawn; Accent South Media; Encore Events; Rhodes
Bakery; Walton EMC; A Better Sign Co.; The Gwinnett
Citizen and About Face Skin Care.

11

Wrap Up Your Holiday

in snellville
The holidays are always a busy time for everyone. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day
the days speed by, with holiday parties, out of town guests, Christmas shopping, and enjoying
this special time of year.

B&B Hobbies
Fortunately, you don’t have to go too far outside of
Snellville to enjoy all the season has to offer.
Get into the holiday spirit early by attending the 30th
annual Christmas Tree Lighting Festival on the Towne Green
on November 26th from 3-7 PM. In addition to the tree
lighting, there will be activities for children, music from local
churches and schools, and a chance to visit with Santa. You’ll
find a detailed schedule elsewhere in this issue of Snellville
Spirit.
Later in the season, head down Highway 78 to Stone
Mountain Park, where they are celebrating a Stone Mountain
Christmas and are offering the chance to play like they do up
north at Snow Mountain.
Getting your home ready for the season is a snap in
Snellville. Pick out the perfect Christmas tree at Lowe’s or

12

Home Depot, or stop by one of the local churches where
service organizations are conducting tree sales. Head
over to the Family Tree Garden Center, where you’ll
find plenty of poinsettias, wreaths and unique holiday
decorations. You’ll find everything you need for your
holiday place settings at Bed Bath & Beyond, and don’t
forget Michaels, Hobby Lobby and Jo-Ann Stores for
decorations and craft items.
Then, there’s gift shopping. Trying to find the perfect
gift for everyone on your list can be a challenge, especially
if you don’t want to spend hours driving around mall
parking lots. You can save time and gas by shopping
right here in Snellville.
Need toys for the kids? Wal-Mart, Target, Sam’s Club
and K-Mart have you covered. Looking for electronics
from TVs to iPods? Try Best Buy or HH Gregg. Clothing
is always a popular choice, and stores like Belk, Kohls
and Old Navy offer many choices. If your gift recipient
is into sports, Academy Sports and Outdoors has a wide
a selection of sporting goods as you’ll find anywhere in
Georgia.
If you’re looking for something unusual to give, visit
some of Snellville’s unique specialty stores. Locally
owned, they frequently offer items you won’t find at the
national chains. The Gift Gallery, Cobble Creek Studios,
Horsetown and Pieces of the Past are all good places to
browse for hard to find or unique items.
And don’t forget the batteries so everything runs after
you unwrap your gifts on Christmas morning. Batteries
Plus has any type of battery you need.
Where do you find the perfect place to shop for the
holidays? The Snellville Tourism & Trade website at
www.snellvillepride.com has a categorized, searchable
listing of Snellville stores and service providers. Use it to
help make your holiday preparations a little easier.

Are you looking for something unusual to give this
year? B&B Hobbies, located in New London Plaza carries
a wide variety of hobby items you’re not going to be likely
to find in many stores. From train sets to remote control
cars and airplanes to models, they have something to
interest anyone from age 3 on up.
For Christmas this year, they recommend Air
Swimmers, a helium filled shark or clown fish which
swims through the air by remote control. Each fish is 54
inches long and 36 inches high once it is filled with helium.
Fill it up at your local Publix for about two dollars, and it
stays inflated for several weeks. Then take it back and get
it filled again and again.
Pick up your Air Swimmer at B&B for $40, and while
you’re there, look around the store. You’ll probably see
something else unusual that will make a perfect gift for
someone else on your list.

Gift Shopping in Snellville

B&B
hobbies

Wild Birds

unlimited
If someone you know is a nature lover, how about giving
him or her a gift that will provide hours of entertainment
right in your back yard. Wild Birds Unlimited, located
in the Presidential Commons Shopping Center on Scenic
Highway has a wide variety of bird feeders, bird baths and
other items that you can use to make your yard a nature
sanctuary.
Owner Ken Hanft points out that the selection of the
proper bird feeder and seed depends on the type of bird
you want to attract and the amount of cover provided by
trees and shrubs in the yard. If you stop by the store,
he’ll be glad to recommend something that will get birds
to visit.
Bird feeders start at $20, with deluxe models running
well over $100. The store also sells a variety of poles and
mounts so you can position the new feeder properly.

13

Holiday Events &
Ho

services
se
TEMPLE BETH DAVID
Temple Beth David will hold a Chanukah Party and Bazaar
on Sunday, December 11th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at
the Temple, 1885 McGee Road. The Party will be in the
Temple’s Social Hall and the Bazaar will be in the Sanctuary.
Information: 770-978-3916.

WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH
Westminster Presbyterian Church will celebrate the
Christmas season with a month full of services and events.
The church is located at 2208 East Main Street. For more
information, call 770-979-9676.

November 27: Advent Sermon Series Begins: “Looking
for the Real Jesus”

December 11: Congregational Dinner and Christmas
Music Celebration, beginning at 6:00pm in Fellowship
Center
December 18: Service of Wholeness and Healing, 4:00
pm, Chapel

CANNON UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH
Cannon United Methodist Church will have several special
services and events on Christmas Eve, December 24th:
1:00 pm Christmas Eve Family Service
4:00 and 6:00 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
9:00 and 11:00 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight and
Communion Service
From Noon – 6:00 pm on Christmas Eve, there will be a live
nativity scene at the church.
Cannon Church is located at 2424 Webb Gin House Road.
For more information, call 770-972-5463.

ZOAR UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH
Zoar United Methodist Church will hold Christmas Eve
Services on Saturday, December 24th at 5 and 8 pm, and a
Christmas Day service at 10:00 am. The church is located
at 3895 Zoar Church Road in Centerville. For information,
call 770-972-5905.

ST. OLIVER PLUNKETT
CATHOLIC CHURCH
St. Oliver Plunkett Catholic Church will hold the Annual
celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe. On Sunday
December 11 at 6:30 pm there will be a procession,
Prayer of the Rosary and a representation of Our Lady’s
Apparitions; ending with desserts and hot Mexican
Chocolate. December 12th starts with a mass at 5:00
pm followed by an evening of fun with a Mexican dinner,
Mariachi band and Hispanic Folkloric Dance Groups
presentation. On December 17th, the Church will present
a foot stompin,’ hand clappin’ Christmas Musical Event,
“Only Love”, beginning at 7 pm. This is a wonderful telling
of the Christmas story that is great for all ages. The church
is located at 3200 Brooks Drive. For more information,
phone 770-979-2500.

SNELLVILLE UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH
Sunday, December 4th – Service of Hope – 7:00 pm
Childcare: children 4 and under
Join us on December 4th at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary for
words of comfort and hope for all who are experiencing difficult times.
Saturday, December 10th thru Monday,
December 12th Journey to Bethlehem

Travel through Bethlehem at the time of Christ’s birth in
this live, interactive drama!

Sunday, December 18th – Festival of Music: A Service
of Lessons and Carols – 7:00 pm
Childcare: children 4 and under

Saturday, Christmas Eve, December 24th
4:00 pm in the CLC – Family Christmas Play: SUMC is
About to Get Smurf ’d!
Childcare: None for this service
5:30 pm in the Sanctuary – Traditional Candlelight Service
Childcare: Children 4 and under
7:00 pm in the CLC – Contemporary Service
Childcare: Children 4 and under
11:00 pm in the Sanctuary – Traditional Candlelight Service
with Communion
Childcare: None for this service

Sunday, Christmas Day, December 25th

FIRST BAPTIST SNELLVILLE
First Baptist Snellville will have a 5 pm Candlelight Service
on Christmas Eve and an 11 am service on Christmas Day.
The church is located at 2400 Main Street East. For more
information, call 770-978-7000.

14

Family Christmas Morning
Join us in your pajamas and sing Christmas Carols!
Childcare: Children 2 and under
Snellville United Methodist Church is located at 2428 Main
Street East. For more information, call 770-972-9360.

25th Anniversary
Limited Edition

Snellville
Christmas Ornaments

on sale now
The 25th Anniversary Snellville Christmas
ornaments are available for sale at City Hall, the Snellville
Senior Center, Summit Chase Country Club and at the
Christmas Tree Lighting Festival. This year they are a
beautiful three color silver style 3-dimensional ornament
The price for an ornament from this limited edition of
250 will be $15.00.
And in case you need to add to your collection,
ornaments from previous years will be available for sale
for $5.00 each at City Hall only.

Fall Festival

success

STAT wishes to thank all the great volunteers and sponsors
that made this year’s festival a great success.

Under a brilliant blue fall sky, over 10,000 enthusiastic
attendees enjoyed the second annual Snellville Fall
Festival on Saturday, October 22nd in the Towne Center.
The smells of festival foods, the squeals of children
having fun, and the sounds of music were a great
backdrop for the nearly 100 vendors that lined up to sell
or demonstrate their creations.
Added this year were great contests for all ages
including cakes and pies, costumes and a scarecrow
contest.
Apple-bobbing and guessing games too,
provided hours of excitement and fun to this year’s
festival. Festival Chair Kelly McAloon states: “This was
a fun filled event that the entire family enjoyed. It was
wonderful to hear all the positive comments throughout
the day and to see the community having fun at City Hall
and on the Towne Green.”
Another new addition was the American Dream
Vette Club’s “Cruise-In” along with a second stage in the
rear of City Hall. Great antique cars and upbeat music
by Don Law, provided a visual contrast to the hayrides
furnished by Brushy Forks Nursery which circled the lot
filled with excited riders all afternoon.
The great inflatables, Euro-Bungee and popular
Stratosphere had lines of kids all afternoon. Great
food from vendors like Texas Roadhouse; Uncle Betty’s
Barbeque; Chick-fil-A; Stevie-B’s Pizza; Rey’s Cuban
Café; Beren’s Ice Cream and the Lion’s Club, to name a
few, satisfied appetites of old and young alike.
The great music from D.J. Doug Van Buren, the
Clogging Connection and a concert by the All in Red
Band, made the day complete.